STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A touch of Silicon Alley could come to Staten Island if former City Comptroller Bill Thompson has a say in the matter. The Democratic mayoral candidate touted his initiative on Monday to bring a greater amount of technology jobs to New York City, specifically in Stapleton.

His plan calls for a new $25,000 incentive for entrepreneurs who start science, technology, engineering, and mathematics businesses in the city; expanded technical education partnerships, and greater broadband access.

The creation of new technology empowerment zones, Thompson said, will help entrepreneurs launch science, technology, engineering, and mathematics start-ups. The new zones, located in every borough, are meant to help foster greater entrepreneurship with a $25,000 grant in exchange for staying for three years, he said.

His plan also extends to the education sector. Using Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-Tech) in Brooklyn as a model, Thompson wants to create new partnerships between public and private educational institutions to expand science and technology training in K-12 and adult education systems.

In an effort to improve broadband access citywide, the plan will introduce a letter grade system to hold service providers accountable and provide tax credits to businesses that increase the accessibility of low-cost broadband service. Thompson said the initiative will encourage innovators to improve connectivity in underserved communities.

"I will be a mayor who promotes technology as a transformational catalyst -- creating jobs, reinventing health care, renewing public schools, revitalizing transportation, and expanding access to markets. I will help drive every industry that for generations has made New York the most amazing city in the world," he said in a statement.